The Best Preschool Learning Activities: 75 Fun Ideas for Literacy, Math, Science, Motor and Social-Emotional Learning for Kids Ages 3 to 5

by Katie Christiansen

Overview

Easy Ways to Enhance Learning & Curriculum through the Power of Play

Give little learners the foundation they need for school and life with this essential collection of activities from veteran preschool teacher Katie T. Christiansen. Using her years of experience developing curriculum, she has curated 75 easy hands-on projects centered on the most important skills children should practice between the ages of 3 and 5—from literacy, math and science to gross- and fine-motor skills and social-emotional mindfulness. Best of all, these activities require minimal preparation and use affordable, everyday items, so they’re perfect for busy, budget-conscious caregivers and educators.

Harness the power of learning through play with projects like the Alphabet Mystery Can, which helps children learn about letter sounds to prepare them for reading, and the Outdoor Color Changing Volcano, which is an explosive introduction to simple science concepts. The My Feelings Sensory Bottle teaches little ones to identify and talk about their different emotions, and the Rip and Snip Tray helps develop hand strength and dexterity for an easy transition to writing. With Katie’s expertise and balanced approach to early childhood education, , plus tips for individualizing activities for each unique learner, this must-have resource will give you the tools to prepare children for kindergarten and beyond.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781645676409
Publisher:	Page Street Publishing
Publication date:	07/26/2022
Pages:	176
Sales rank:	470,591
Product dimensions:	7.70(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.20(d)
Age Range:	3 - 5 Years

About the Author

Katie T. Christiansen is the creator of the popular children’s learning website Preschool Inspirations. She has worked in the early childhood education field for 20 years and is the author of the children’s picture book Wild Animal Babies. She lives near Phoenix, Arizona, with her husband and children.

Table of Contents

Introduction 7

Literacy Learning and Games 9

Two Little Butterflies Song 10

Story Stones 13

Alphabet Sensory Bottle 14

Fishing for Letter Sounds 17

DIY Alphabet Puzzle 18

Mini Eraser Letter Formation March 21

Tactile Letter Cards 22

Name Collage Book 25

Do the Robot Syllable Dance 26

Nursery Rhyme Bean Bag Toss 29

I Spy Rhyming Tray 30

Animal Alliteration Poems 33

Alphabet Mystery Can 34

Story Writing Wonderland 37

High Five Blending 38

Math Mania 41

Touch and Feel Number Cards 42

Muffin Tin Matching 45

Number Aerobics 45

Magnetic Tile Shapes 49

Rocket Ship Duplos 50

Musical Finger Puppet Math 53

Abstract Shape Stamping 54

Mixed-Up Calendar 57

How Big Am I? 58

Cupcake Recipe Station 61

Ten Frame Treasure Hunt 62

Cooperative Mini Eraser Race 65

Captivating Card Games 66

Caterpillar Addition Game 69

Stimulating Science Exploration and Play 71

Magnet Town 72

I Spy Weather Rocks 75

Soft as Sand Sensory Play 76

Growing Your Senses 79

Plant Observation Station 80

Color Mixing Slime 83

Whipped Cream Whimsy 84

X-Ray in a Bag 87

Sink, Float and Splash Sensory Bin 88

Outdoor Color Changing Volcano 91

Icy Freeze and Rescue 92

Butterfly Life Cycle Model 95

Animal Habitat Journal 96

Simple Social-Emotional Learning Strategies 99

Twinkle Light Hideout 100

Mirror Self-Portrait 103

Animal Breaths 104

Puppet Playtime 107

Bubble Blowing Station 108

My Feelings Sensory Bottle 111

Upside Down Musical Art 112

Happy Thought Treasures 115

Nature Yoga 116

Slime Small World 119

Go, Go, Gross Motor and Active Play 121

Jungle Animal Obstacle Course 122

Wake the Animals 125

Ribbon Freeze Dancing 126

Parachute Listening Games 129

Bean Bag Basketball 130

Balancing Act Smorgasbord 133

Soccer Bowling 134

Water Painting 137

Monkey See, Monkey Do Midline Movements 138

Pool Noodle Fencing 141

Rolling Pin Rainbow 142

Fine Motor Fun and Creations 145

Lemonade Creation Station 146

Colored Sand Writing Tray 149

Golf Tee and Marble Balance 150

Alligator Chomp 153

Bottle Cap Tinkering 154

Rip and Snip Tray 157

Lion's Mane Paper Plate Craft 158

Playdough Chef Station 161

Royal Jewelry Lacing 162

Rock Crayon Coloring 164

Shape and Doodle Journals 166

Rainbow Name Writing 169

References 170

Acknowledgments 171

About the Author 172

Index 173

Editorial Reviews

Children will love these effective, fun, easy-to-implement activities. Katie’s expertise as an early childhood educator shines through.”
–Jamie White, M.Ed, co-creator of Play to Learn Preschool

“Katie covers it all in this beautiful collection! Who knew that research-based activities could be so much fun?”
–Anna Geiger, M.Ed., creator of The Measured Mom

“These activities are not only fun and engaging, they will get students ready for kindergarten. This book has so many activities you and your child will love.”
–Jennifer Kadar, M.Ed., creator of Simply Kinder

“Katie is a go-to expert for early childhood educators around the world! Preschoolers will love the hands-on fun that awaits them. Meanwhile, teachers and parents will love that it's all clearly laid out, from math and literacy to science and beyond.”
–Alex John, M.S. Special Education and Curriculum Design, creator of The Kindergarten Connection

“Finally! A practical book that connects all the fun activities to the critical preschool skills that support them. No worksheets here, just purposeful and effective early learning activities.”
–Sarah Punkoney, MAT, creator of Stay At Home Educator

“Katie has put together an amazing collection of activities that encourage learning in playful, hands-on ways, keeping young children engaged! This is exactly what I look for while planning ideas for my preschool classroom and what I share with my teaching community.”
–Sheryl Cooper, creator of Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds

“Parents need fun, playful activities that will cover the skills their children need to learn. This book fits that need: kids will love these activities and parents will be happy that the materials are easy to find.”
–Karen Cox, creator of PreKinders.com

“When families ask me what they can do to be kindergarten-ready, I’ll be recommending this book.”
–Virginia Stewart, M.Ed., NBCT

From the Publisher

02/01/2023

Veteran preschool teacher Christiansen offers creative and engaging developmentally apt pre-literacy activities for three-to-five-year-olds. The book is divided into six color-coded sections: Literacy Learning and Games; Math Mania; Stimulating Science Exploration and Play; Simple Social-Emotional Learning Strategies; Go, Go, Gross Motor and Active Play; and Fine Motor Fun and Creations. Each opens with a brief introduction and a "Terms at a Glance" section that defines specific terminology. Materials used are mostly inexpensive, simple, and easily obtained. Activities for the designated audience are straightforwardly replicable. Each activity, there are 75, includes a "Skills" box that explains what it promotes, as well as a "Veteran Teacher Tip" to further clarify and encourage. The book is uncrowded and well designed, with excellent use of color-coding and attractive color photographs of diverse groups of children. Instructions are clear, with projects ranging from simple, such as Story Stones to teach narrative sequencing, to complex, including Touch and Feel Number Cards for number recognition and a Cooperative Mini Eraser Race for an introduction to graphing. References and an index are included. VERDICT An eminently useful title for anyone working with preschoolers looking for easily implemented pre-literacy activities.—Janice M. Del Negro

School Library Journal